What does a response of "handled by previous tour" signify in police terminology?

A response of "handled by previous tour" signifies that the incident in question was managed or addressed during a prior shift by officers on that tour. This term indicates that the situation has already been dealt with, and no further action is required at this time by the current officers.

This terminology is commonly used to ensure continuity in reporting and response efforts, allowing officers who are coming onto duty to be aware that the issue has already been taken care of, thus avoiding duplication of effort. Understanding this helps maintain efficiency within law enforcement operations, as it allows officers to prioritize their time and resources on new incidents that may require their immediate attention.

In this context, other options are defined differently and do not reflect the situation's status as effectively. For example, indicating that an incident requires further investigation does not recognize that it has already been addressed, and stating it was directed to an outside agency would imply a transfer rather than a resolution. Similarly, asserting that an incident is ongoing and unresolved conflicts with the idea that it has been managed in a prior tour.